Heavy duty air break switch operating mechanism



Jan. 12, 1965 R. M. BOHLER 3,165,501

HEAVY DUTY AIR BREAK SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I l l I Cl (1 G l7 3 D 5 A \IS k L L 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT M. BOHLER Mfi ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1965 R. M. BOHLER 3,165,601

HEAVY DUTY AIR BREAK swx'rcn OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT M. BOHLER ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1965 R. M. BOHLER 3,165,601

HEAVY DUTY AIR BREAK SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 8 8 m N Q -m A 2'] I N no E Q' m LL.

f m 1 ON O d g n o q s Q N\ l 0 "2 a 2 Ln. E

INVENTOR.

ROBERT A4. BOHLER ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1965 R. M. BOHLER 3,165,601

HEAVY DUTY AIR BREAK SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .34 P s F FIG. 12 5 FIG; 14

mmvrom ROBERT M. BOHLER ATTORNEY 3,165,601 [Ce f Patented Jan; '1 1965 3,1e5,6ii1 HEAVY DUTY All?x BREAK SWITCH GPERATING MECHANESM Robert M. Bohler, Hampton, (32., assignor to Southern States, Inn, a corporation of Georgia Filed .ian. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 167,6$2 9 tliairns. (til. ass-4s adapted to accommodate limited and special space condi tions.

A principal obiect of this invention is to provide a safe switch operating mechanism which is inherently adapted to meet a wide variety of space conditions.

The invention in one form as to applied to a switch operating mechanism for heavy duty air break type switches comprises a first fixed interlocking element, a switch operating clement rotatably mounted on the first fixed interlocking element, and a second interlocking element pivotaily mounted on the switch operating element. According to the invention the position of the second interlocking element relative to the operating element may be rearranged by the simple and easy removal of a pair of fastening bolts. As a further feature of the invention suitable abutments and clearance slots are provided so as to insure foolproof operation of the switch only in apredetermined sequence. As a further feature of the invention, latching means are provided for fastening the movably mounted interlocking element in a fixed position relative to the operating element and thereby to insure that the controlled switch is maintained ineither the closed or opened position.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken'in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the supporting structure for a three phase air break type switch showing the essential operating. rods but from which the switch elements have been removed; FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the structure shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along the line designated 3-3 in- FIG. 2'and depicting the essential.

elements of this invention with the switch open; FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the first and second interlocking elements constituting essential features of the invention as such elements would be viewed approximately along the line designated 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but with certain portions of the support means cut away, the parts being depicted in the second position to which they are moved from that depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5; FIG. 7 is aview similar to FIG. 6 but showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when moved to the third position; FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when moved to the fourth position such'for example as the closed position of the switch; FIG. 9 is a view showingthe parts in the same positions in which they are depicted in FIG. 8, the view of FIG. 9 corre- I at 12 to each operating arm 9.

spending to FIG. 4; FIGS. 10 and '11 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 9 but with the indicating elements reversed thereby indicating reverse motion of the operating mechanism to open or close the controlled switch; FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to FIGS. 10 and 11 such views indicating a rearrangement of the parts so as to accommodate still diiferent space requirements; and in which FIGS. 14 and 15 are similar respectively to FIGS. 13 and 12 but in which the condition indicating indicia have been reversed in a manner similar to the reversal depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. Z I

With reference to FIG. '1, three switch form of metallic channels are designated generally by the numerals 1, 2 and 3. Such bases are fastened at their ends to frame elements 4 and 5 to form a'rectangular base on which" the three poles of a three phase power switch maybe mounted. Such switches normallyare supported on three insulators mounted, for example, with reference to switch base 1 on the plates 6, 7 and 8. As is well understood in the art and with reference tobase 1, fixed insulators normally are disposed on plates 6 and 8 and a rotatable insulator is mounted on plate 7. In like fashion, similar mounting arrangements are provided whereby single pole switches are mounted on the switchbases 2 and 3. In order to operate the switches by rotating the insulators which are rotatably mounted on the plates'7, an operating arm 9 is securely aflixed to each insulator androtation of such arm about its associated bearing 10 impartsr'rotary motion to the associated insulator and in turn results in operation of the switch blade from open to'closed position and vice versa. 'The three operating arms9'are interconnected by a horizontally disposed oscillatable operating rod 11 which is pivotally connected For. the purpose of imparting operating movement to operating rod 11, an arm 13 is securely affixed to the operating arm 9 disposed on the switch base 2. Pivotally connected at pin 14 to operating arm 13 is another operating rod 15 which in turn is pivotally connected at 16 to an'operating crank 17 which is secured atop and rotatable with operating element 18. Thus rotation of operating element 18 about its vertical axis results in operating movement of the switches mounted atop the switch bases 1, 2 and 3 in a mannerwhichis well known in the art.

This invention is primarily concerned with that part of the operating mechanism identified generally in FIG.

2 by the' numeral 19, such mechanism being secured to the horizontally disposed frame element 20 whichlin turn is secured at its ends to a pair of vertical posts 21 and-22.

As" is best shown in FIG. 2, the structure comprising the invention is aflixed to horizontal frame element '20 by bolts 23 by which 'the base 24 is secured to the frame ele- ;As can best be seen in FIG. 3 base 24 is formed integrally :with a first interlocking element designated .by the numeral 25 and which is provided witha central aperture 26. As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, the interlocking element -25, is provided with a pair of spaced peripheral abutments 27 andZS and a peripheral guide element 29 at the ends of which are disposed a pair of clearance slots 30 and 31. a a

For the purpose of securing the operating element for rod 18 in position vertically relative to the interlocking element 25, a pair of horizontally disposed bolts 32 are arranged to extend above and below the main body of bases in the V interlocking element 34.

the interlocking element 2 5 and in secure engagement with both the operating element 18 and the yoke-like arms 33A and 33B of support means 33. It will be understood that the operating element 18 extends through the aperture formed within the interloclc'ng element 25 and is held therein by the bolts 32 which extend through suitable openings provided in both the support means 33 and in the operating rod 18.

For the purpose of movably supporting the second interlocking element designated in the drawings by the numeral 34, a bolt 35 is disposed in openingsin the ex tremities of the prongs 33A and 33B of the support means 33. Of course, the bolt 35 extends through a central opening formed in the second interlocking element designated by the numeral 34. Thus, the second interlocking element 34 is movably supported by the operating element 18 through the support means 33, the entire mechanism being in turn supported by the first interlocking element 25.

For the purpose of securing the second interlocking element 34 in the position depicted in FIG. 4, for example, suitable latching means 36 is pivoted by pin 37 to support means 33. Latching means 36 is biased by spring means 38 in a direction tending to cause the latching means 36 to engage thesecond interlocking element 34. As is best shown in FIG. 9 latching means 36 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 39 and 40 which may be disposed on opposite sides of rib 41 which is formed on the second It will thus be understood that lugs 39 and 40 serve to prevent rotation of interlocking element 34 relative to support means 33. When it is desired to release the second interlocking element 34 for rotationpthe latching means 36 is simply pushed away from the second interlocking element 34 against the bias of the spring 38 to cause lugs 39 and 40 to disengage rib 41.

For the purpose of securing the latching means 36 in latchingposition as depicited, for example, in FIG. 4, a suitable padlock 42 may be provided for holding an apertured arm 43 of the latching means 36 in position relative to a fixed apertured element 44. It will be understood that the padlock is effective to secure the latching means 36 in latching position whether the switch be open as indicated, for example, in FIG. 4 or whether it be closed as indicated, for example, in FIG. 9. 7

It will be understood, of course, that the position of the switchis readily observable via the indicating means 45 as depicted in FIG. 4 and by which the open position of the switch is indicated. Similarly the closed position of the switch is depicted by the indicating means designated by the numeral 46 in FIG. 9. These indicating means 45 and 46 are disposed on opposite sides of the extension 47 which forms an integral part of the second interlocking element 34. Indication of the indicating means 45 and 46 is by virtue of the fact that the letters spelling open and closed read upright to correctly afford an indication of the condition of the switch and when such letters read upside down they do not afford an indication of the condition of the switch. A manually operable handle .52 is secured to part 47 of the interlocking element 34. i

As can best be seen. in FIG. 4 and in similar figures, the second interlocking element 34 is provided with a pair of spaced peripheral abutment surfaces designated by the numerals 48 and 49. .In addition, the second interlocking element 34 is provided with a peripheral guiding slot 50.

It will be understood that FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 all show the operating mechanism parts in the positions which they occupy for the open condition of the switch with the elements arranged in a predetermined fashion. It will also be understood that FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and depicts the parts in the positions which they occupy when the switch is closed for'the same arrangement of operating elements.

With the parts in the positions depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the switch may be closed by first removing the padlock 42 and then swinging the latching means 36 in a counter-clockwise direction about the latch pin 37 as viewed in FIG. 3, for example. In this way the latching elements 39 and 40 are moved out of engagement from the rib 41 and the second interlocking element 34 is thus rendered free to rotate about the pivot bolt 35.

When thus freed to rotate, the interlocking element 34 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the position depicted in FIG. 4 about the bolt 35 as a center to the position depicted in FIG. 6. Rotation beyond the position depicted in FIG. 6 is impossible by virtue of the fact that the abutment 51 as depicted in FIG. 4 is wider than the widest dimension of the clearance slot 30 formed in the first interlocking element 25. After the parts are moved to the position depicted in FIG. 6, the operating arm or handle 52 which is formed integrally with the second interlocking element 34 may be swung about the vertical axis of operating element 18 as a center in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 over to the position depicted in FIG. 7. Since the support means 33 is securely affixed to the operating element 18 by virtue ment 18 results in movement of operating rods 15 and 11 and associated parts and hence moves the switch from the open to the closed position.

After the switch is closed the interlocking element 34 is moved from the position depicted in FIG. 7 to that depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 by simply rotating the interlocking element 34-, the handle 52 and associated parts clockwise as seen in FIG. 7 about the bolt 35 as a center. This operation is possible because the clearance slot 31 in the interlocking element 25 is sufliciently wide to receive the peripheral portion designated by the numeral 53 of interlock 34. Thus the interlock element 34 is rotated approximately from the position depicted in FIG. 7 to that depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. Once the switch parts are operated to the positions depicted in FIG. 9, abutment surface 48 engages the lower surface of the guide element 29.

After the parts are moved to the positions depicted in FIG. 9, the operating mechanism is automatically latched by latching'rneans 36 due to its spring 38 and may be secured in that position by means of the padlock 42 in a manner described above.

For the purpose of accommodating different space requirements, the mechanism may be operated in a reverse sequence in order to close the switch from that heretofore described in connection with FIGS.'3-9. Thus, as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, the indicating means 45 and 46 may simply be interchanged, i.e., vertically reversed and placed on diiferent sides of the interlocking element extension 47.

If desired to accommodate still other space requirements, it is possible as depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 to remove the bolts 32 and to swing the parts bodily from the position depicted in FIG. 4 to that depicted in FIG. 12 and then to' reinsert the bolts 32. Such other changes, of course, could be made as might be desired to interrelate the switch operating element 18 with the switch. In

order to close the switch of FIGS. 12 and 13, it is simply I and 46 so as to convert the direction of movement of the operating mechanism depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 to the opposite direction. Such a change, of course, would be analogous to the conversion of the switch depicted in FIG. 9 to that depicted in' FIGS. and 11.

From the description above it will be understood that by the invention, a rugged, reliable, and foolproof switch operating mechanism is provided which is safe and which in addition is very versatile in accommodating a wide variety of space conditions and in turn a variety of switch positions and directions of operation.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element, an elongated switch operating element rotatably mounted adjacent said first interlocking element and fixed in position against axial movement thereof relative to said first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element movably mounted on said switch operating element, said second interlocking element being freely and independently movable throughout a predetermined range of movement relative to said first interlocking element so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and said second interlocking element being movable in opposite directions away from said predetermined position to occupy extreme positions corresponding to open and closed switch positions respectively.

2. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element, a switch operating element movably mounted adjacent said first interlocking element, a second interlocking element movably mounted on said switch operating element, said second interlocking element being freely and independently movable throughout a predetermined range of movement relative to said first interlocking element so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and said second interlocking element being movable in opposite directions away from said predetermined position to occupy extreme positions corresponding to open and closed switch positions respectively, and latching means pivotally mounted on said operating element and engageable with said second interlocking element for holding said second interlocking element in said extreme positions.

3. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element, a switch operating element movably mounted on said first interlocking element, support means affixed to said operating element, a second interlocking element pivotally mounted on said support means, said second interlocking element being freely and independently movable throughout a predetermined range of movement relative to said first interlocking element so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and said second interlocking element being movable in opposite directions away from said predetermined position to occupy extreme positions corresponding to open and closed switch positions respectively, latching means for holding said second interlocking element in said extreme positions, and releasable locking means for securing said latching means in each of its latching positions. 1

4. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element having a peripheral guide element and a pair of spaced abutments disposed adjacent the extremities of said guide element, a movable switch operating element movably mounted on said first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element movably guide element to render said second interlocking element freely movable relative to said first interlocking element thereby to impart switch operating movement tosaid switch operating element only when said second interlocking element is disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and said second interlocking element being movable in opposite directions away from said predetermined position and into engagement with said spaced abutments to occupy extreme positions corresponding to open and closed switch positions respectively.

5. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element, a movable switch operating element movably mounted on said first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element movably mounted on said switch operating element, said second interlocking element having a pair of spaced abutment surfaces and being freely movable relative to said first interlocking element so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and said second interlocking element being movable in opposite directions away from said predetermined position to cause said abutment surfaces to engage ditferent areas of said first interlocking element corresponding to open and closed switch positions respectively.

6. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first interlocking element, a movable switch operating element rotatably mounted on said first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element movably mounted on said switch operating element, said second interlocking element having a pair of spaced abutment surfaces and a guide slot for receiving a part of said first interlocking element, said second interlocking element being freely movable relative to said first interlocking element so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when said guide slot is disposed to receive said part of said first interlocking element, and said second interlocking element being movable relative to said operating element and to said first interlocking element to cause said spaced abutment surfaces to engage different parts of said first interlocking element corresponding to open and cloesd switch positions respectively.

7. A switch operating mechanism comprising a first apertured interlocking element having peripheral guide element and a pair of spaced peripheral abutments disposed adjacent the ends of said peripheral guide element and including a pair of clearance slots formed in said guide element adjacent said abutment, a movable switch operating element rotatably supported within the aperture in said first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element movably mounted on said switch operating rod, said second interlocking element being movable relative to said first interlocking element between positions determined by said abutments so as to impart switch operating movement to said switch operating element only when disposed in a predetermined position relative to said movable switch operating element and different parts of said second interlocking element being may receive only one of said difierent parts of said second interlocking element.

9. A switch operating mechanism comprising a base, a first interlocking element mounted on said base, a switch operating element rotatably supported by said first inter- 2 3 locking element, support means aflixed to saidv switch oping element for affording a visual indication of the posierating element, a second interlocking element mounted tion of the switch. on said support means and movable with respect thereto, releasable latch means pivotally mounted on said sup- Referencesclted by theExammer port means and engageable with said second interlocking 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS element for holding said second inter-locking element in 2,803,967 8/57 Curtis et a1 200 48 X positions relative to said support means corresponding 3,026,383 3 /62 Johnson 2OO 48 X to the open and closed positions of the switch, an operating handle affixed to said second interlocking element, BERNARD GILHEANYPrlmw'y Examl'lerand indicating means movable with said second interlock- 10 ROB SCHAEFER, Examiner 

1. A SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM COMPRISING A FIRST INTERLOCKING ELEMENT, AN ELONGATED SWITCH OPERATING ELEMENT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID FIRST INTERLOCKING ELEMENT AND FIXED IN POSITION AGAINST AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREOF RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST INTERLOCKING ELEMENT, AND A SECOND INTERLOCKING ELEMENT MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SWITCH OPERATING ELEMENT, SAID SECOND INTERLOCKING ELEMENT BEING FREELY AND INDEPENDENTLY MOVABLE THROUGHOUT A PREDETERMINED RANGE OF MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST INTERLOCKING ELEMENT SO AS TO IMPART SWITCH OPERATING MOVEMENT TO SAID SWITCH OPERATING ELEMENT ONLY WHEN DISPOSED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATION TO SAID MOVABLE SWITCH OPERATING ELEMENT AND SAID SECOND INTERLOCKING ELEMENT BEING MOVABLE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AWAY FROM SAID PREDETERMINED POSITION TO OCCUPY EXTREME POSITIONS CORRESPONDING TO OPEN AND CLOSED SWITCH POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY. 